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Long Work Hours Are Associated with Hypothyroidism: A Cross-Sectional Study with Population-Representative Data
Young Ki Lee1,2, Dong-Eun Lee3, Yul Hwangbo1
1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Republic of Korea.
Summary
Long work hours increase the risk of hypothyroidism. This study found a significant association between extended work schedules and thyroid dysfunction, highlighting a potential occupational health concern.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Long work hours are linked to adverse health outcomes.
- The relationship between extended work hours and thyroid function remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate long work hours as a potential risk factor for thyroid dysfunction.
- To assess the association between weekly work hours and thyroid function in adults.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015).
- Included 2160 adults working 36-83 hours/week.
- Thyroid function assessed via thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, excluding thyroid peroxidase antibody-positive individuals. Analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Hypothyroidism was more prevalent in individuals working longer hours (53-83 hours/week) compared to those working standard hours (36-42 hours/week).
- Increased work hours (per 10-hour/week increment) were associated with a higher odds of hypothyroidism (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12-1.90), even after adjusting for confounders.
- This association remained consistent across various demographic subgroups.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence linking long work hours to an increased risk of hypothyroidism.
- Findings suggest that extended working hours may be a significant occupational risk factor for thyroid dysfunction.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended to establish causality and explore underlying mechanisms.
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